Sony MDR-XB500

1972 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
sound (929)
bass quality (865)
comfort (784)
price (556)
usability (272)

Negative
portability (237)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 1972 reviews of Sony MDR-XB500. The average rating for this product is 4.5/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Headphones for all reviews. Reviews about the usability and price are generally positive. The comfort and bass quality are also appreciated, whereas many are critical about the portability.

sound, bass quality, comfort, price, usability

portability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Headphones the Sony MDR-XB500 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 82/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 1972 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(68% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (21% of reviews)
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Features

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bass quality
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comfort
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price
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portability
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Showing 1 - 1181 of 1357 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (610)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Sony MDR-XB500

alaTest has collected and analyzed 150 user reviews of Sony MDR-XB500 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.6/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Headphones on Amazon.co.uk. Opinions about the usability and price are overall positive. The comfort and bass quality are also mentioned favorably. There are some less positive reviews about the size and portability.

sound, bass quality, comfort, price, usability

portability, size

95% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sony MDR-XB500

alaTest has collected and analyzed 1021 user reviews of Sony MDR-XB500 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Headphones on Amazon.com. People really like the durability and price. The comfort and bass quality also get good reviews. Reviews are divided on the reliability, while some have doubts about the portability.

sound, bass quality, comfort, price, durability

portability

96% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Jim Swantko (hometheaterreview.com)

Sony MDR-XB500 Headphones Reviewed

The MDR-XB500 is the mid-range entry in Sony's trio of "extra bass" headphones which are designed to kick out serious low-end response while still providing excellent performance throughout the rest of the frequency range. They style is hip-hop and...

The XR500 headphones are easily the most powerful headphones I've ever heard in terms of bass performance. If you listen to hip-hop or club music I think you will absolutely love them.- The XR500s are very stylish although the ridiculously sized...

It's too bad Sony doesn't offer a control which lets the user dialback the bass response, because it simply overpowers the rest of themusic. I would really consider an extra bass type headphone because Ido like deep, solid bass but this is just way too...

The Sony MDR-XB500 headphone does exactly what it promises. It deliversunbelievable bass performance in a stylish well-built product. If youare a bass head then these are going to be your dream come true. Ifhowever you are looking for audiophile...

Aug, 2009

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Expert review by : Campbell Simpson (goodgearguide.com.au)

Sony MDR-XB500

The bass-head's younger, more sensible brother.

Smooth bass, good mid-range and treble

Silly cord design

Just like the MDR-XB700s, these headphones are bass-focused. They are a little more forgiving than their larger sibling though, so if you want more natural music reproduction these are a good choice.

Dec, 2008

Partner Source

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Expert review by : What Hi-Fi? (whathifi.com)

Sony MDR-XB500 review

These Sony closed back headphones are nowhere near good enough for the money – you can buy far better

Good looking

Everything bar looks

Nowhere near good enough, even for £60

Aug, 2009

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Expert review by : Campbell Simpson (pcworld.idg.com.au)

Sony MDR-XB500

The bass-head's younger, more sensible brother.

Smooth bass, good mid-range and treble

Silly cord design

Dec, 2008

Partner Source

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Good sound

They sound good, but they are low performers in pretty much all other catagories. For the money, I could not in good consience, recommend these. If they were about half the price, I could recommend them then.

The sound great, ample bass

They feel very cheap. Very flimsy and they don't have that "heavy" feel to them. These seem like they could be easily broken ; I bought these with the intention of being able to wear them at my computer and not hear anyone around me, or for my wife to...

Jan, 2015

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Super comfy

Super comfy and super nice sound. It sounded better fed through my Samsung Galaxy S4, than on my work computers. Maybe I need to buy an amplifier or some dsp hardware. Overall, I can keep these on all day and not have any ear fatigue. They are that...

Discontinued! These are soo much better than the new ones

Jun, 2014

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Price should be around 80$

Purchase at a local retailer or somewhere else for $80. I'm not sure why its doubled the price here. Maybe, a glitch?

It's very light weight, which means this headphones won't hurt your ear for long time of use. Not to mention, the ear cushions are very soft ; The cables NEVER get tangled ; Sound quality is still outstanding after 4 years of use. Very low bass, the...

Since the band is made up of plastic, it has become 'loose' It doesn't arch as tight before ; Wish the cables only came from one ear and/or are detachable ; The 'leather' materials from the head band, ear cushions are coming off. But, that is to be...

Dec, 2013

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Price is Whack, Headphones are not

These are incredible headphones ; Awesome bass ; Hi fidelity audio quality ; Very comfortable

Almost twice as expensive as other online retailers ; Whoops

Nov, 2013

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Consumer review (sony.com)

Delivers what's advertised.

The bass in these headphones surpasses anything to be expected for a headphone of it's pricerange. The boomy feel provides that hardcore vibe that EDM/Techno/Rap listeners love. When EQ'd properly, these headphones provide an incredibly solid, powerful...

These headphones deliver incredible bass, provide unbeatable comfort, and do not fatigue

The mids are an afterthought, and the highs can get a bit bright when not Equalized properly

Sep, 2012

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Consumer review (sony.com)

buy these now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

these headphones are amazing. i have nothing bad to say about them.they are as good if not better than beats by dre studios. i know everyone eles says these are better than beats but in my honest opinion they are about the same. but then you look at...

amazing bass, great mids and highs, super comfy, amazing price for the quality you get

nothing

Aug, 2012

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